Carne Golf Links
Carne Golf Links
4.5
About
Carne Golf Links lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near Belmullet Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland. Carne was the last links course to be designed by the late Eddie Hackett and it is now believed by many who have played it to be his greatest challenge. The building of Carne has caused little disturbance to this wild and ancient landscape. Tees and greens occurred naturally and very little earth moving was involved in the course construction. Along the course are some breathtaking views over the Atlantic and the legendary islands of Inis Glóire and Inis Géidh
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles183 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
23
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Craig Waggaman
Radford, VA165 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
I am lucky enough to be an overseas member at Carne and have played the course dozens of times over the past 20 years. I asked my wife if we could retire here, but, alas, she said no.

Carne is a course that was built and has been maintained on a shoestring budget, but that is one of its charms. It is a bit rough around the edges, but look at the website and read the reviews and you will realize why people love coming here so much. The course is isolated and stunningly beautiful. It has 3 nines so you can play twice in two days and play two different courses. It is run by a brilliant staff of genuinely nice people. It used to be easy to get on and usually uncrowded, but word has gotten around and there are now coaches in the parking lot most days.

My advice is to come a bit off season and play early and you might have it practically to yourselves. Carne is often left off of first time itineraries either because people focus on the southwest or because it is in a remote part of western County Mayo. Don't let that stop you. It is well worth the trip and the golf in the west and northwest of Ireland is to my mind nicer than the stuffed to-the-gills resort course experience of the southwest. Nothing against those courses- they are great- but the overall experience in the northwest is less expensive and more genuine to me.

In short- play Carne! Play as soon as you can and come back as often as you can. You won't regret it.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Climber49284699162
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
The Wild Atlantic Dunes - awesome example of Irish links golf. The course is fantastic - scenic and challenging. Lots of blind shots and forced carries. DO NOT play this course for the first time without a caddie! This is a hidden jem, but well worth the visit!
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Danny
Cork, Ireland3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
A fabulous experience, I look forward to returning soon. It is testing, you need to drive well, but it really is a feast.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meyerbeer24
France47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
Started today at 10-50. Rain for 10 minutes and afterwards a beauty windy day. Probably the best links course in Ireland.will be back.👍🏌️‍♀️
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert M
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Had the pleasure of playing all 27 holes over 3 days....we hadn't reaise dit was a Pairs Event until Day 1 of competition.
In our opinion change to holes for day 2 not necessary & a bit confusing....but did not detract much form the Carne Experience. The course is excellent with great holes on all 3 nines!
There is room off the tee & a vareity of ways to take on holes...views are terrific & the dunes breath taking.
A terrific course to challenge any golfer...we will be back!
Other competitiors great craic....welcoming & friendly staff in the pro shop, restauarant/bar & the foood was really good. A super Club Sandwich!
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

terence o
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
course highly recommend played on two days different back 9 on day 2 ! Staff were very helpful and friendly!
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wanhamboy
Edmonton, Canada35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Friends
Carne is big boy golf. It’s bold links, with massive dunes and a spectacular layout. We played the Wild Atlantic Dunes course and it was awesome. Wish I would have had two days to play the Hackett 18 as well. Next time!

Although the entire course is spectacular, I loved the stretch of 7-8-9. The par 5 8th was one of my favourite holes in Ireland. Just a beautiful par 5 in massive dunes.

After the round we enjoyed a great bowl of chowder and a pint. Great hospitality from Gerry Maguire and the folks at Carne.

Can’t wait to come back.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hagearty
Boston, MA225 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Friends
We played 27 here as if you make the trip here, you might as well play the whole 27. We started with the Hackett Links, I understand they switch them up every other day, which causes some confusion. We got caddies and I recommend doing so. My caddie was Scott and he was excellent.
One member of the group didn’t enjoy the course, of course he played the worst of the group.
We had a very good weather day to play, a fair amount of wind, but not too crazy and zero rain. The course is hard, but IMO fair. I’m a 14 handicap and was able to hit a driver on majority of all par 4’s and 5’s. Something I can’t say about other link style courses we played.
Some beautiful sights throughout the course, and according to our caddie the middle 9 (or our next 9 on this day) have the best views.
Greens were very slow, which they were all week at all courses.
After playing, make sure you stop by McDonnells and have a Guinness
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dermot W
County Limerick, Ireland5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Just back from what is now an annual trip to Carne and the place just keeps getting better. We were blessed with great weather this time and the course was in brilliant condition. The renovations in the clubhouse look great, and my wife compared the newly renovated women's changing rooms as akin to Adare Manor. But the most outstanding thing about the place is the staff, from shop, to the course, to the clubhouse, where the Guinness is the best i've had in a long time, the friendly welcome is second to none and they can't do enough for you. The course is so unique, it is one of the best in Ireland and needs to be played to be believed. Well worth the trip west, and don't forget to go to McDonnells bar in the town for the best craic and the nicest owner around. Can't wait for my trip next year already.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles R
Killarney, Ireland9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Business
No toilet paper not clean bins overflowing upstairs food and service very good. bar neglected building manager grass growing out gutters cooking outside shop a disgrace USA golfer's no stock in to fit we know the excuses your logo local schools are better get person to smarten up. The coarse one of the best let down by management
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CARNE GOLF LINKS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Carne Golf Links